The pricing of the new flash appears to vary (a lot) by retailer. In many instances on eBay (mainly) you can find the new 600EX-RT for a lot less money than the 580EX II

I've purchased a T2i and a 7D over the years off these guys in South of England (UK), so I know that they're kosher, but the old 580EX II for $200 more than a new 600EX-RT? Plus they've been running these prices for several months now, on eBay too.

Just be careful if you are buying a "grey import" from eBay etc. Check that it comes with at least a 1-year warranty, which allows you to get the speedlite serviced in the country that you are buying it in. Otherwise you might be paying expensive postage if there's an issue. I was given this advice before buying a lens - and was glad I got the warranty from my country - as there were issues that I had to get fixed.

@ impressed:YES!!!After using the PW TT1 and 5, keep the protocol switching them on (f51c= flash, pw on flash, pw on cam, cam); then the first blown out picture, unreliable (better after 2 years or more tolerant....)The Canon RT: switch on, wait 2 seconds- HERE WE ARE!!!Yes, not cheap. But it made me sick to miss shots.

Just be careful if you are buying a "grey import" from eBay etc. Check that it comes with at least a 1-year warranty, which allows you to get the speedlite serviced in the country that you are buying it in.

I concur for lenses and camera bodies, but I'd risk to say if a Canon Speedlite breaks down in less than a year even with a lot of usage it's probably your fault so the warranty won't be any good... correct me if I'm wrong, but camera bodies (shutter) and lenses (is, af) with more mechanical moving parts seem more likely to fail due to a factory problem.

Just be careful if you are buying a "grey import" from eBay etc. Check that it comes with at least a 1-year warranty, which allows you to get the speedlite serviced in the country that you are buying it in.

I concur for lenses and camera bodies, but I'd risk to say if a Canon Speedlite breaks down in less than a year even with a lot of usage it's probably your fault so the warranty won't be any good... correct me if I'm wrong, but camera bodies (shutter) and lenses (is, af) with more mechanical moving parts seem more likely to fail due to a factory problem.

I remember reading something a few months ago that flash power affects flash life a lot. The more power used, the more heat is discharged, which causes the tubes to develop microfissures and ultimately crack, which is another reason why heavy users will gang multiple flashes (besides decreasing recycling time).

I remember reading something a few months ago that flash power affects flash life a lot. The more power used, the more heat is discharged, which causes the tubes to develop microfissures and ultimately crack, which is another reason why heavy users will gang multiple flashes (besides decreasing recycling time).

Sure, but the question is - how often will this happen in less than a year? My guess is not when you're not full time using it in high power / hss mode , so warranty won't matter since you'll pay for the repairs yourself anyway.